Curious George in the Big City

I read this book to Cali, my 5 year old, a while back. At first I didn't notice the illustration, but upon reading it a second time, I did. Curious George is in New York and there in the book are the Twin Towers. I stopped in my reading tracks. I can't remember if I said anything to Cali. If I did, there was no discussion about 9/11 that I remember. I read an article today from my Sesame Street Newsletter of two children's interaction of the events of that day. Should I have said something to Cali about how those buildings were no longer there and why? Maybe I did mention that they were no longer there, but nothing was elaborated.

This particular book is illustrated in the style of H.A. Rey, not written or illustrated by him. The copyright is 2001, but obviously completed and printed before that dreadful day in September when we would close our eyes and still see the images of the plane(s). I know my girls will learn of September 11 in school someday and how odd it is for me to think that I have lived a page in a history book of such grave despair. I and my family were not directly touched by the events that day, but in a way, we were.

We send love and comfort for those whose lives were changed that day and perhaps a little lightness through this book to remember a time when life was a little less scary. When a curious little monkey could get on top of New York City looking for the Man with the Yellow Hat and we would see in the illustration of the city scape nothing out of the ordinary.

A New Library

I meant to post more books after our last library run of 21 books, but I ran out of time due to a gigantic move of 4 people to a new home 45 minutes away. I don't know how people move across the country; this move was a beast! Anyway... we are in a new city and I know of a new library that is actually in a different city one freeway exit away that I want to check out and obviously bring the girls to. I hope they have a great children's section like our former library. Wish us luck for more new finds! And hopefully no more book fines. (now where is that Arthur book that we still have to turn in from before?!)

Duck at the Door

The main reason I love this book is because it makes me think of one of my most favorite people in the world, my sister, Sue. She loves animals and so it reminded me of her with all the brood Irene has of puppies, kitties, birds and even a rabbit! And also what the animals might say of Sue when they hear a knock on the door late one snowy night: " LET'S GO ASK IRENE! SHE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT TO DO."

Max, a duck who thought he might just like winter as much as spring, decided to not take off with the rest of the flock going south. "But it turned out to be COLD and very lonely." he said. So, he is taken in, (much like what my sister might have done :) and learns how to use the remote control, cook, share a bed with the St. Bernard, Brody, (yes, Sue had one of those, too, except his name was Oly!) and pretty much drive all the fellow home-sharers crazy in the process :) Just when they want Irene to have a talk with Max, his flock comes back and off he goes. The animals miss Max and realize he brought a little fun and life to the house. In the fall there is another knock at the door and whom do they hope it is? Yep. Max, but he brought the whole flock with him! "Everyone looked at Irene, hoping she would say something. But all she could say was "Welcome Home!"

A fun book with soft, cartoon-like illustrations. A great find for the animal lovers all ages!

View "Duck at the Door" at Amazon.com

Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom!

So, we (in other words, me) managed to huff out of the library on our last visit with 21 books! :) *phew* Out of that last run came a fun little gem about Mrs. McBloom who has been teaching at Knickerbocker Elementary in Up Younder for almost 50 years. Room 5 is a complete mess of all the years of everything and is need of a good cleaning. "Oh, higgly-piggly," Mrs. McBlooom would say. "It's on my to-do list... See, it's listed right here above Take a fancy-shmancy criuse." But, now she is getting ready to retire. How is she going to get this classroom ready for Miss Bumblesprout who is due to take over the following school year? Mrs. McBloom comes up with an idea: a homework assignment. "Come up with an idea to get Room #5 tidy Lickety Split", the blackboard read, "Be Creative! S T R E T C H your imagination. Use your noggin! Anything goes!!!" Travel through this amazingly-full illustrated creative book with your sweet little jammied ones tonight to find out who comes up with the winning idea, and what finds they find in Room 5 as it finally does get all "gussied-up" and "spiffed-up." (Had to laugh at a library book that was uncovered and overdue by 35 years! Yes, we've had a few a lot of over-dues, too! ;)

Buy "Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom!" at Amazon.com

Happy Birthday, Peek-a-Boo!

No, this isn't a children's book from our latest library run. Just a happy shout-out to my littlest love. My youngest daughter and fellow page turner turned two today! She woke up with a tantrum this morning; still not exactly sure what that was all about. (Isn't she supposed to wait until the years start piling up in age and THEN there will be something to cry about? :) But Daddy calmed her down by reading from some books we just borrowed from the library and tonight she peacefully was tucked in her bed at 9:34pm. How easily and effortlessly you came into this world, My Love. You are completely one of my greatest joys. You are such a beautiful little toddler and so much fun to be around. Happy Birthday, Carice, Here's to many more birthdays and books together :)

I Love You Forever,
Mommy

Carry-Me Farm Animals

Meet and pet 5 farm animals as you explore this board book together! I never realized until reading the back of this book that books that have texture to them, ie: faux fur, faux fuzzy ears, etc. help develop hand and eye coordination. Good to know! This book also offers a convenient build-in handle for little ones who are on the go. Real photos of the animals, bright colors, sounds each animal make are also part of this simple and easy book. Shiny and glittery illustrations, too! A fun and short bedtime read.

Buy "Farm Animals" at Amazon.com

Hilda Must Be Dancing

This actually was a library find from several months back, but worthy of a post! I love to read children's books that rhyme. There is such a fun rhythm to reading rhyming books out loud to the girls and this book is one of them :) Hilda is a hippo that loves to dance. From flamenco, to disco, with costumes and all, she can do it with the best of them, much to the chagrin her fellow animal friends. Her dancing shakes up the Earth beneath pretty darn good! "Hilda Must Be Dancing!", they moan and try and get her to try something else. She does, but ends up going back to getting her groove on until the water buffalo come up with something that she and the rest are all happy with! Pick this book up for a fun read where the words just flow brilliantly together! Heck, even try out a few moves courtesy of Hilda herself (providing it doesn't get the children too riled up before bed ;)

Buy "Hilda Must Be Dancing" at Amazon.com

Blankie

Okay, so this book, when my 2 year old and I sat down to read it, pretty much rendered her speechless! :) At times when she finds things that are 'the same' as her she points it out with a cute affirming "too" on the end of the sentence. I don't know if this book hit so close to home or what. And she wanted to read it over and over again. We read it about 5 times in a row at bedtime and she just seemed so quiet or awe-struck or something! She is a 'blankie girl' through and through and so this book is absolutely perfect for her. You get to meet Blankie in the beginning of the book then see all that it does with its little tiny owner. I'm not too crazy about the subtle ink-smudged illustrations, but the message is clear—"... I love Blankie best of all. And Blankie loves me!" A great gift idea for the little blankie lover in your life :)

Buy "Blankie" at Amazon.com

Curious George Takes a Job

Again, my 5 year old loves anything with an ambulance and so consequently this is one of her favorite books! Poor George needs to take a ride in one when he breaks his leg from a hard landed jump. He is hired to wash windows on a skyscraper, but of course gets too curious about what's going on in one the rooms where painters are doing their job. He decides to do a little paining of his own while the workers are on their lunch break then has to escape when they come back to find he has a jungle theme painted! Pull up the covers and enjoy this 1947 original story from H. A. Rey that is still a good bedtime read. I like to check out books at the library that the girls never have seen or read before so they are exposed to something new, however, I'm not opposed to getting a few 'familiar friends' like Caillou, Barney, Thomas the Train or of course our favorite curious monkey!

Buy "Curious George Takes a Job" in hardback or paperback at Amazon.com

A Happy Home : A First Words Book

I love these Boxer Concept books; they make reading to and teaching my 2 year old very easy! They have simple and colorful illustrations. Five other concept books include: counting, colors, ABC's, opposites, and shapes. We've read the color and opposites as well. And an eco-bonus: their "papers are sourced from managed forests and renewable resources." Think green, buy green! ;)

Buy "A Happy Home: A First Words Book" at Amazon.com